386 
AFRICAN HUNTING. 
as far as possible, and his trunk was within a few 
feet of me as I shot close by him. I plied the rowels, 
and was brought again to a sudden stand by three 
mapani trees, In a sort of triangle; a vigorous dig, 
and he got through, my right shoulder coming so 
violently in contact with one of the trees as almost 
to unhorse me, slewing my right arm behind my back, 
over my left hip. I know not how I managed to 
stick to my gun, 14 lbs. weight, with my middle 
finger only hooked through the trigger-guard, my 
left hand right across my chest, holding by the end 
of the reins, which, most fortunately, I had in my 
hand when I fired, and in this fashion we went 
